JASON HASE: Recreate the putting motion while chipping to keep the club shaft up

SAN ANGELO, Texas - It seems this January has been fairly typical for this time of year — unpredictable!

We have had a few days temperaturewise in the 70s, and a few more that did not reach 40.

Like the weather, chipping is an area in which many players experience unpredictability during their round of golf. This little tip might remedy faults that occur when chipping.

Keep the shaft of the club up. Take out a putter and pretend to hit a chip. Notice how the butt end of the club is pointing more toward the belly button region.

Then, take out a wedge or 9-iron and try to recreate the motion made with the putter. The butt end of the club should be pointed to your abdomen.

Practicing in this manner will promote development of two strengths.

First, a one-lever motion is created when hitting the golf ball. Also, the practice will help take hands out of the chipping motion.

With this move, shoulders will swing a lot more, especially the first few times. Practicing with a golf ball will feel very foreign because the swing comes from the shoulders instead of the hands.

The other thing that will start happening is the club will begin to bottom-out in the same place with much more consistency. This process will allow for more solid contact because the ball is coming off the center of the club face due to the consistency of the chipping motion.

Remember, get the shaft more vertical at address to get the butt of the club pointed more up.

Like anything else, this move will take getting used to at first, but a little practice will go a long way to making chipping a lot more predictable.

As always, if you are having trouble with your game, give us a call at the shop. We would love to help get your game back on track.